In the context of this study by the VDMA Bavaria one supports, the question of cooperation of small and middle enterprises (SME) in networks, federations, interest communities or virtual enterprises regarding the conversion of strategic business ideas, like e.g. the development of new markets, in addition, the controlling of co-operation in the operational business one follows. Globalization means: Concentration in the company, which the SME's can meet effectively only by co-operation. These cooperation are successful in the operational business on the way. How measurably successful they are, is to be investigated with this study. In the first part by intensive search and analysis of the State of the art the theoretical and practical basis for this project is created.